The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-05-29
THE ROUTE TO WASHINGTON.
What u Correspondent Has "a Say about
what Can Iie seen.

what Can B. seen.
| Edhor ~ the Paldfhd Neins.
WAsHINdToN, ID. c., May "a, 1887.
From some points OF view congratu-
late our fellow townsmen who came 10
the grand drill by the Atlantic coast routei
that point of view whether one was In
hurry. From other points heartily con-
gratulate those who took the longer and
more varied route 10y Chattanooga. Not
being satisfied with the magnificent
scenery afforded by the Cumberland, Al
Ieghaney and Blue Ridge Mountains, and
the many fine rivers whose beauty is en-
HANGED by the works of man upon their
banks, we had a stoppage arranged for
Chattanooga that we might have seven
hours 10 see Lookout Mountain, Mis-
sionary Ridge, and the town whose de-
velopment has been like the wick OF
Aladdins Lamp. But our time was
shortened by another variation, wreck,
80 we only had time 10 see the town,
and 10 gaze upon its historic hills from
lis streets. DO not be alarmed about
our nerves. We sustained no damage.
A freight train had been stalled upon a
bridge the night before, at n station
called Braswell, in Georgia. There had
been "A shortage" of hands upon the
road, and the men were much over
worked. One young man who had been
on duty the greater part Of eleven days
and nights, was sent 10 the rear TO flag
the passenger train which was 10
come at 3 a. m. While waiting
he was overcome and fell asleep. The
train came laundering on and rushed In
to the caboose where lay the unconscious
sleeper, dashing one side Of the freight
car over one side Of the bridge and the
other the other throwing the top over Its
engine, and crushing the bottom into
splinters, the very iron was twisted and
broken The engine Of the passeng.r
train was slig htly derailed, but there
il stopped above the awful abyss. The
poor guilty fellow was dashed down some
seventy feet, he was picked up torn and
bleeding but alive, and he battled with
death three hours before the relief came.
When we reached the scene the body
was cold and stiff, but the ground was
still wet with his blood. We were de-
tanned there three or four hours while
the officers and hands were removing
the two disabled trains. i thought often
of that touching piece, ''Only Brakes
man." while the passengers forgetting
the poor shattered remains which lay 50
near. grumbled at the detention, or
sought comfort in the milk, bread, but
ter, and eggs of the neighborhood. Some
heart will be heavy for the young life
gone.
In spite Of the hours lost 10 Chatta-
nooga, we had time to see a good deal
| there-some friends, the fine churches,
handsome dwellings, Loying's wonder
| full store, the broad Tennessee, which
there contents itself with ferry boats
while awaiting the opening Of the Mus
sci Shoals. We lost the view of much
fine scenery between chattanooga and
Bristol, but hope to pass over that part
Of the road In the day ON our return. All
the next day there was continuous
panorama of beautiful views. Noun
tains neSg, mountains afar, val
leys covered with exquisite grass,
in which fed the finest OF
cattle, hills which anon crowded no close
ly together that there was no room for
valleys. We were behind time all the
way and finally reached our grand, beau
tiful capital two hours behind time, 30
q. ma. The city is greatly crowded ana
we had a dismal time finding places, but
all ended well, and ] will try and do the